[USER]

My department wants to have a little luncheon/small potluck for lunch next week. There are 8 of us. My department chair is asking everyone to contribute a dish to pass.

Here’s the thing. My department colleagues are catty, super picky, and high-browed. I hate these things in general because I never know what to bring and in the past when I’ve put in effort to make a dish, it’s gone untouched. I guess ultimately it doesn’t matter if they don’t like my dish, but that being said I don’t want to put in effort or spend money.

So what could be cheap and crowd pleasing?

[Patricia]

Make something that you like then if there are leftovers you have a delightful snack. Make it strictly for you. Win win.

[Vonnie]

Shame you’re going to be sick that day….. 😀

[Janet]

Caprese skewers (cherry tomatoes, mozzarella balls, basil drizzled with oil&vinegar)

[Britney]

Buffalo chicken dip! It’s always a big hit at any pot luck or party it’s just canned chicken or rotisserie chopped up, hot sauce, cream cheese, ranch, and shredded cheese served with tortilla chips and celery.

[Tammy]

Pick up a dessert from your local bakery. I am super picky about office pot luck functions and I only eat the prepackaged food from a restaurant, supermarket or bakery.

[Stephanie]

Honestly, I make something I want to eat myself and will be happy to take home.

Forget all the people pleasing.

[Falicia]

Make something you like, that way if there are no takers you have leftovers.

[Bonnie]

Cut up watermelon with crumbled feta cheese and basil

[Danielle]

Crockpot meatballs. 1 family bag of great value Italian frozen meatballs, 1 large bottle of great value barbecue sauce and 1 large jar of great value grape jelly. Cook on high for 4 hours.

Main dish for serval people for less than $15 and there are never any leftovers.

Don’t miss: Cheap and easy bulk meals for new parents?

[Joan]

Go to Walmart and two of their large “deviled egg potato salad”.

It is DIVINE. Put in a bowl…Slice a hard boiled egg on top and sprinkle some paprika on top.

If you have a Sam’s Club membership, their potato salad is even better.

[Mary]

Something that you could take home if they don’t eat it so you could have it for dinner/dessert so nothing goes to waste.

[Abigail]

I make a Mexican bean salad that can used as a dip or salad. It’s vegan, low carb, gluten free, diabetes and low cholesterol friendly. Plus it tastes amazing!

[Crystal]

Make the Weight Watchers dessert that everybody loves! Just don’t tell them it’s weight watchers. It’s a box of angel food cake and a can of pineapple. Bake it and go! Google the recipe for time and temp. Be sure and use the juice in the can too. I always bring home an empty dish.

[Melissa]

Small charcuterie board with all ingredients from Aldi if you have one close. You can make a pretty board for under $20

[Crystal]

Dump Cake, it’s the one item I’ve always gotten many to ask for this easy to make dessert. Most ingredients including the baking dish can be purchased at Dollar Tree.

[Mary]

I always brought my mini crock with cocktail weenies and sf BBQ sauce.

Most people will eat a cocktail weenie and you can make this with low effort and less than $10.

Read on: I need something cheap to bring to the BBQ, besides baked beans

[Sara]

I like to grab broccoli salad from the grocery deli and put it into my own fancy dish

[Jan]

I make a peanut butter pie that looks like I worked all day. A couple boxes of vanilla pudding I use sugar free. Let it set and solid and then add about a half cup of peanut butter, put it in the frig till you go and take along some cool whip to put on just before you serve.

At home I drizzle some chocolate syrup on the top. Looks decadent with no work!!

[Kendall]

You don’t need to bring a lot of food. Since it’s a potluck, everyone will take a little bit of every dish. How about going to your local sushi restaurant and get 2 orders each of California Rolls, Cucumber Rolls, and Avocado rolls.

Ask for extra ginger, wasabi, and soy sauce. High brow on a budget.

[Author]

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